The Luxury of NYE

Hello everyone!  It's the end of the year, and a whole new year is right around the corner.  I usually like to reflect back and remember everything that made this year special for me.  One of those things is actually a fashion trend that I absolutely love, and that's all the baroque and ornate fashion this season.  I think it was important to remind everyone the importance of luxury and to get past that phase of minimalism for a season (although I do love it from time to time ^_^).

What is luxury, and why is it important?  I think luxury is best defined in the immortal words of Coco Chanel:

Some people think luxury is the opposite of poverty.  It is not.  It is the opposite of vulgarity.

Need I explain the importance of not being vulgar?

ModCloth Gilding a Mystery Dress

Filgree Metal Black Venetian Mask on Ebay

I actually wore this outfit to a Halloween party this year, but I think it will still work perfectly well for a New Year's Eve party.  I was so inspired by the whole baroque trend this season that I bought this dress at ModCloth when I got hold of a coupon code.  This was my first ModCloth purchase, and I couldn't have been happier with it.  When I read the description of this dress on the ModCloth website, I remembered that I had an old venetian mask that I bought on Ebay a while back, and that's how this whole outfit came together.  Everyone asked me about my mask at the party, and I'm thinking about getting the gold one to add to my collection.

I hope all of you are enjoying your New Year's Eve festivities, and please look forward to the New Year!

PFC #22: Cute Cold Weather Shopping Clothes

I apologize for the lateness of my post.  I've been experiencing internet problems, but thank God that has been fixed now!

Now, on to my favorite topic: shopping.  There is such a thing as being dressed incorrectly for shopping, and I'm glad that A Preponderance of Fashion is hosting this unique Petite Fashion Challenge.  The challenge is this: "The weather outside is frightful, but indoor shopping is warm and delightful.  So, whether you have wind, rain, or snow, show me your clothes when shopping for friends or foe!"  I love the fact that this challenge rhymes!  ^_^

Rayban New Wayfarer Sunglasses

Longchamp Planete Large Tote

Club Monaco Jean Glove

August Silk knit dress (old)

Gap 1969 Gray Skinny Jeans (old)

It's very important to take into consideration not only the whether outside when you're going shopping but also what you will be shopping for.  If you're looking for a dress, for example, make sure you are wearing the correct clothes for dress shopping, such as a strapless bra perhaps, panty hose, or heels.  However, if you think it might rain/snow, think about your mode of transportation.  If you're driving a car, it won't matter too much since you'll be inside the car where you're warm and dry for most of the time.

I actually wore the outfit above today to go shoe shopping with a friend.  I wasn't planning on buying anything for myself (in fact, I was trying to discourage myself from buying anything), so my priority was keeping warm.  The August Silk dress that I wore is short sleeved, so I paired it with my long black gloves that I got from Club Monaco (all sale items are now currently 50% off, by the way!).  I also wore my black Timberland boots today, because I heard it was going to snow.

However, the highlight of my outfit (and basically what's keeping me toasty warm) has to be this aviator jacket that I got off Ebay here.  I saw this jacket on Wendy's Lookbook a while ago, and I just simply had to have it.  I was thrilled when I saw that this jacket was available still, so I went ahead and bought one.  It's also not bulky, so I don't have to lug too much weight around when I'm in stores trying on clothes.  I love it so much!  In my opinion, if you live somewhere that can have pretty severe weather, a great coat is simply a must.

Please visit A Preponderance of Fashion's blog to see a list of other petite bloggers who participated!

 

Blog Anniversary Giveaway

Happy Holidays everyone!

I'm so sorry for not posting for a while, but I've just been too busy shopping catching up with my family.  ^_^  It's that time of year again, and my blog is almost one year old!  With that said, I've decided to host my first giveaway, and I'm not just giving away 1, or 2, but 3 items!

The first item is the Tied Crochet Dress - Black from Nasty Gal in a size Small.  It is currently on sale for $51.

The second item is a similar dress from LuLu that is currently sold out in a body conscious style in a size Medium.  It was priced at $39.

The third item is... a Hermes inspired Collier de Chien, aka CDC, or dog collar, bracelet.  It was priced at around $35.  Please note, however, this is a stock photo, and the leather on the actual bracelet is pebbled.

In total, this giveaway is a little over $100.

How do you apply?

1.  Follow this blog on blogger (+1), bloglovin' (+1), instagram (+1), and/or twitter (+1) for a possible 4 entries!
2. This is optional, but for an additional entry, you can link back to this giveaway on your blogger (+1), bloglovin (+1), instagram (+1), and/or twitter (+1) account for another possible 4 entries!
3. Leave a comment below, stating where you followed me (and any link backs to this post) and something happy that happened to you recently.

This giveaway is available to both US and international followers.  The winner will be drawn at random, and entries will be validated.  The winner has 3 days to claim their prize, and if it isn't claimed, another entry will be drawn.  This giveaway will end Thursday, January 31st at 9 PM EST.

Good luck everyone!

To All the Gentlemen of the World...

To All the Gentlemen of the World,

 You don't need magic tricks to win the woman of your dreams...

 You just need an ace up your sleeve...

A good suit and tie...

 Plus a fabulous pair of heels to seal the deal.  ^_^  Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Craving for Egg Puffs

To those of you who live in Asia, I envy you.  You get to enjoy these delicious egg puffs all the time!  There's really only one place that I know of in Boston that sells them, and, of course, it's in a small little spot in Chinatown.  There's an old woman who has been selling them for over 10 years now, and I've been going to her for my little treat ever since I was a kid.

As you can see, it's really not all that complicated to make.  Just pour something that looks like pancake batter into a small round mold and heat it up.  But it tastes so good!  Rain or shine - whenever I'm in Chinatown I try to grab a bag for myself.  I tell myself each time that I'll take it home to share with the rest of my family, but let's face it: I have absolutely no self control. ^_^  My friends have even started calling me "Eggy" because of how much I like them. ^_^;

Yes, that little batch costs $2.75.  I hear in China that you can get a much bigger batch for way less.  -_-  Again, I envy all of you who live in Asia.

New Sailor Moon in Summer 2013

If you've read my post here, you'll know that I'm a HUGE fan of Sailor Moon (and yes that HUGE was worthy enough of bold, italics, caps, and underline).  However, did you know that they are going to be bringing back the anime in Summer of 2013?  Yes, you heard right.  I had to double check with other forums and blogs to confirm what I heard the first time, and I also waited a little bit longer before I could finally accept it myself.  I mean this is HUGE (and yes, I know, I did it again)!  2012 marks the 20th anniversary of Sailor Moon, and now we find out that there's going to be a new anime?!  O.O  I could just faint and die (but not before I watch it first, of course. ^_^;).

While it's not going to be a continuation of the anime after Sailor Stars, it is going to be a "fresh rebot."  Not much yet is known about the new series, but you can find updated information here in English.  They will also be releasing a new artbook for Sailor Moon.  There will be some different bonus content that will be released in 7 different countries, so if you're a collector, you're going to have to buy all 7 different versions.  As for me, I'll just be happy with getting my hands on one.

With that, I'll leave you with a clip with another one of my favorite songs from this series, The Power of Love.  It's fitting, don't you think? ;)

A Golden Friday

It's Friday, and let's face it: This calls for a bit of gold!  Well, maybe lots of it.  ^_^

Outside Club Monaco

I've always admired the beautiful photos of the City of Lights found in Paris in Four Months, so taking inspiration from the lovely blogger, Carin, I took my (*ahem* brother's) DSLR camera for a spin outside the shop windows of Boston.  It's almost Christmas, so all the lovely windows are almost glittering with their beautiful decorations!  This haphazard photo of golden kitchenware is probably one of my favorites.  I'm pretty sure Midas would have used these in his kitchen.

Burberry's Festive Gift Balloons

And let's not forget the golden windows of Burberry.  I wouldn't mind having one of those balloons drop down on my doorstep with a prettily wrapped gift attached.  I love those bags!  I'm probably going to be taking my own Burberry bag with me on my next trip to Paris...  Yup, you heard right!  I'm going to Paris in the Spring!  How's that for a Golden Friday!  ^_^

A Longing for Spring in the Middle of Winter

It's strange that while I'm typing this I'm enjoying a view of snow slowly falling by my window.  This usually happens to me when we're in the middle of a season.  When it's summer, I can't wait for winter to arrive, and when it's winter, I can't wait for spring to arrive.  Getting this catalog from Saks yesterday didn't help either, but it's good to know that florals are still in.  Enjoy a preview of what's to come in the next season, and have a great weekend!